(CNN) - Democrats voted to update their party's platform Wednesday evening at their convention to include a reference to Jerusalem being the capital of Israel, as well as the insertion of the word "God," neither of which was included in their platform this year but was in previous platforms.

President Barack Obama himself intervened regarding the Jerusalem language, a senior Democratic source told CNN, adding, that he thought the original draft was "a strong statement and he didn't want there to be any confusion about his unshakeable commitment to the security of state israel. The issue of the day is Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah."- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

The change, proposed by former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland immediately after the convention was gaveled into order on Wednesday, required a two-thirds voice vote, but was declared as adopted after three voice votes which brought delegates to their feet, shouting their yeas and nays. Democratic sources told CNN prior to the vote that it was to take place by acclamation.

"I am here to attest and affirm that our faith and belief in God is central to the American story and informs the values we've expressed in our party's platform," Strickland, who chaired the party's platform committee, read. "In addition, President Obama recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and our party's platform should as well. "

The 2008 platform read, "Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths."

That language was reinserted on Wednesday but was not included in the 2012 platform, which was released earlier this week and adopted by the party at the convention on Tuesday. The language which was added to this year's platform is slightly different from the 2008 version.

When he learned of the absence of the word God from the platform, Obama reacted by saying, "Why on earth would that have been taken out?" three Democratic sources told CNN.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a statement after that vote that "the platform is being amended to maintain consistency with the personal views expressed by the President and in the Democratic Party platform in 2008.

"Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths," she said. "It has been the policy of both Republican and Democratic administrations for decades that Jerusalem is a final status issue to be negotiated directly between the two parties, as part of discussions to achieve a two-state solution that secures the Jewish state and homeland.

"Our party platform already expresses strong support for the peace process and makes clear the steps that any Palestinian partner must take to be a part of such a process - recognizing Israel's right to exist, rejecting violence, and adhering to existing agreements," she continued.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) said in a statement that they "welcome reinstatement to the Democratic platform of the language affirming Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"Together, these party platforms reflect strong bipartisan support for the US – Israel relationship," the statement read.

Rep. Steve Israel, who as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee takes the lead on electing Democrats to the House of Representatives, told CNN's John Berman that "several colleagues in Congress expressed concern" about the omission.

"It has been repaired and and resolved and now we need to get on to other issues," he said.

Former Sen. Robert Wexler, a Florida Democrat, said that "the president's record on Israel is an a plus and there is no reason to have any confusion about his commitment to the profound issues israel is confronting in terms of security."

In his convention speech Tuesday evening, Wexler said that "President Obama has bravely stood up for Israel In the international community."

Republicans had criticized Democrats over the changes, and after the vote, Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea saul said that the GOP presidential candidate "has consistently stated his belief that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

"Although today's voice vote at the Democratic National Convention was unclear, the Democratic Party has acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. President Obama has repeatedly refused to say the same himself," she charged. "Now is the time for President Obama to state in unequivocal terms whether or not he believes Jerusalem is Israel's capital."

soundoff(707 Responses)

NOON

Debbie Schultz: What do you learn after this amending?

September 5, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Anonymous

Democrats: Whether you are pro or con to the platform changes, you should be outraged that what was CLEARLY NOT a 2/3 majority vote, was ramrodded through anyway. That was a spectacular and blatant display of dirty business on National TV. The vote was 50/50 at best, and the platform language did not have enough votes to be changed. It should have been left as is if it didn't have the votes.

September 5, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

Hindu

We know in terms of real policy how much democrats care about God and His laws. So this is clear pandering to "re-include" "symbolic" God in name only in their platform ... what is God without His laws? It is not a meaningless word meant to delete and re-include on basis of POLLS ... LOL!

September 5, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

PraiseTheLard

"I am here to attest and affirm that our faith and belief in God is central to the American story..." yes... the story of the continued promotion of ignorance...

September 5, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

kidster

Wow. The left points to the finger at conservatives for allowing religion to rule the party at the same time allowing athiests and de viants to take over theirs. We really are as polarized as you can get.

September 5, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

KeepYourReligionOutOfMyPolitics

@Proud American: I agree it is very sad they had to include your god in their platform.

September 5, 2012 08:18 pm at 8:18 pm |

Celisti

please God and Israel? is that all Dems can do now? How desperate can they be?